My Little Gnome

I've always wanted a Gnome of my very own.

Now I have one.

Meet Opal the Gnome:

Although, I never knew a Gnome could be so cute.

The pattern is Pointy Elf Hat from More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and is so easy.

I hope to make a few more very soon.

The yarn is my own hand spun.

My mom has been a hand spinner for most of my life, 

and until the last few years, 

I haven't had much interest in learning myself.

I started knitting about 3 years ago and my desire to learn to spin has been growing ever since.

How amazing it feels to create something from start to finish.

I don't have my own spinning wheel yet, 

but my mom has 7!

Did I say 7?

Yes, 7.

7 spinning wheels.

Maybe next time I go to visit her, I will document them.

Anyway, I'm sure I won't have any trouble trying to find one to learn on.

Opal wants to wish you a very gnomey day!

Very Owley

I homeschool.

It wasn't something that I ever thought I would choose,

but as my first born was getting older and his schooling days were fast approaching,

I started researching, and checking out my options.

It turns out, homeschooling is perfect for us.

We're currently studying, among other things, Owls.

Tell me these aren't the cutest owls you have ever seen.

Homeschooling is hard.  

It's hard to not have a break from the kids.

It's hard to keep them excited every day.

It's hard to keep them, and myself happy.

But it's so worth it.

We learn together.

We struggle together.

We teach each other.

All day long.

toxic

So, I've kind of jumped on the crazy wagon.

I'm currently obsessing over the ingredients in our beauty products.

I'm probably a little behind on this, but did you know?

I have naively believed in the past, that because I live in America,

toxic materials would not be knowingly sold to me as beauty products!

Kind of a rant, but do your homework, you'll be sad.

Anyway, a few months ago I starting using olive oil to clean my face.

I know, I know.

How could putting oil on your face, clean it?

I read about it here, and it really works!

My skin hasn't looked this good since I was 10.

Birth: part 2

With baby number 3, I was a little more informed and experienced, 

and decided to follow a different path.

My midwife, Suzanne, wears a tight bun on the back of her head and a pencil behind her ear.

She's very experienced, with over 1000 births under her belt.

I felt very confident in her ability to deliver my baby safely.

Unfortunately, I lived too far away for her to attend at my own home.

Instead, I chose to have my baby at Suzanne's birthing center.

My contractions started early in the morning,

but they were completely irregular.  

They continued all day, becoming more intense, but not regular.

In the early afternoon, we headed to my parents house 

(we lived an hour and a half from the birthing center, and they were only thirty minutes from it).

When we finally decided it was time, I was convinced we had waited too long and I was going to have my baby on the side of the freeway!

It was pouring rain, and there was an accident on the road, but we finally made it.

Suzanne was there waiting for us.

I delivered my little Opal into a pool of warm water, one hour after arriving at the Birthing Center.

Even though this baby was my third, I had never experienced anything like this delivery.

The pain was so insane I felt like I wasn't even in my body anymore, 

and then I was holding a beautiful little girl.

I was able to stay in the pool for awhile, just getting to know my new tiny baby.

No one took her away to weigh and measure her.

No one poked her or prodded her.

She was just with me.

I loved her instantly.

So peaceful, no crying.

And I had brought her here, all by myself.

Birth: part 1

My first two babies, I had in a hospital, with all that that implies:

induction, pitocin, epidural, episiotomy, 

numb legs, postpartum depression,

and doubt.

Doubt about my contractions.

Doubt about pushing and if I was doing it the right way.

Doubt about breastfeeding and if I was capable.

Doubt about my own ability to mother.

My ability to mother?  Are you kidding me?

I am a Mother, that is what I am made to be.  Of course I know how to mother.

But still I doubted.

Why did I doubt?  Why would I doubt?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized why;

Why wouldn't I?

If I couldn't push out my own baby, without the help of Doctors, Nurses, Monitors, and Meds,  then how in the world could I feel capable of caring for the little one?

And so, upon this realization, I decided the third time would be different.  

I decided, but had no idea how different it would be.

I know, what a lovely picture.

Shhhhh

I have a secret:

I have always wanted to have a blog.

Well, I had one, once.  But, I didn't take care of it, and it died.

So I'm trying again, and this time, I will keep it a secret for a little while.  Just until I prove to myself that it isn't going to be neglected and that I won't kill it.

So, here I go! (Again)